Police will ensure adequate security during elections to enable the electoral agency deliver free, fair and credible elections. Acting Interior CS Fred Matiang’i said this on Wednesday adding the IEBC has requested the ministry to provide enough security for various parts based on the level of need.
“The plans we have…deployment, resources, assets and mapping…are all aimed at facilitating the IEBC to do its work,” Matiang’i said.
He spoke at Safari Park hotel in Nairobi after a closed-door meeting with foreign diplomats on the state of security ahead of the August 8 polls. Among those who attended the meeting were deputy IG Joel Kitili, Zimbabwe Ambassador to Kenya Kelebert Nkomani, Foreign Affairs PS Monica Juma and Security and Operations secretary Amos Gathecha.
Matiang’i said the ministry will continue to engage foreign diplomats in the run up to the elections. The minister will meet NASA leaders to discuss their concerns. Last week, NASA flagbearer Raila Odinga released names of 42 police officers he claims have been stationed as agents to cause chaos during elections.
The Opposition leader said the officers have been picked from units including GSU, Kenya Airport Police Unit, traffic and the dog unit.
“The officers have been assigned what the Kenya Police Service calls ‘special duties’ via a circular dated June 23,” he said in a statement.
“They have been issued with clearance certificates and asked to report to headquarters to be issued with discharge certificates before July 2. Their identification cards have been withdrawn.